Cursed Final Minutes: Hércules Drops Another Two Points in Injury Time in Ceuta (1-1)

Once again, the same old story. Hércules has dropped up to 14 points this season due to goals conceded in the final minutes. Almost always following the same pattern: a cross from the side and an unchallenged header inside the box.

This time it happened in Ceuta. The Alicante team had put on a monumental survival effort. They achieved the hardest part with Artiles' penalty goal fifteen minutes from the end. However, a lapse in the last play of the match left Torrecilla's team and their fans with a bitter taste.

Hércules was vastly inferior to Ceuta, especially in the second half, where they struggled and had to rely on Carlos Abad's best performance to stay upright. The home side took 15 corners and tried in countless ways, but the Alicante team always showed defensive sacrifice to maintain the draw.

They survived the local onslaught. And in the only action where Nico Espinosa could face the rival area throughout the match, he forced a penalty after an excellent one-two with Javi Moreno. Artiles took responsibility after Nico's last miss against Fuenlabrada. The Canary Islander did not miss. Ball in the back of the net and 16 minutes left to keep rowing.

When it seemed Hércules had it in their hands to make a statement and move up to fifth in the table, the 93rd minute arrived and a ball into the box that no one managed to defend. Cristian Rodríguez headed home with ease into the Hércules net.

With this draw, Hércules remains ninth in the table, just two points away from the promotion playoff zone marked by Atlético de Madrid B. On Sunday, another big match, this time at the Rico Pérez against Ibiza.